Copyright Notice

Everything that appears on this blog is the copyrighted property of somebody. Often, but not always, that somebody is me. For things that are not mine, I either have obtained permission, or claim fair use. Feel free to quote me, but attribute, please. My photos and poetry are dear to my heart, and may not be used without permission. Ditto, my other intellectual property, such as charts and graphs. I'm probably willing to share. Let's talk. Violators will be damned for all eternity to the circle of hell populated by Rosanne Barr, Mrs Miller [look her up], and trombonists who are unable play in tune. You cannot possibly imagine the agony. If you have a question, email me: jazzbumpa@gmail.com. I'll answer when I feel like it. Cheers!

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Wednesday Poetry Blogging

I have to say that the greatest influence on my life, and on my writing, directly and indirectly, has been my two Children.-- Raymond Carver

UNDER THE INFLUENCE

Raymond, I am not like you,Though we've both known drunkenness and despair.And we've both been influenced by our children,But I think in different ways.And I, too, have a brief attention span,Limiting me to things of a single sitting --Poetry and short fiction. I speak now of reading.

You were John Gardner's most famous and successful student.I can only know him from his words,And seek vainly to find him in yours:Words honed sharp on a blue whetstoneWorn smooth by the sea,Found in a handkerchief under your desk,Then passed from hand to hand.

Blue is the precise word, I believe, forYour free strophes full of drunkenness and people pissing,And your spare prose, pared too deep sometimes,But greater still than larger things.I hope your too-short life was not so sad as they suggest.Where did you pass the blade, Raymond,When your carving days were through?

I'm not so much into modern fiction, but enjoy Ray Carver's stories, like in Cathedral. He was not so PC, though, jzb. Fairly gloomy realism--a bit noirish as well. Or fatalistic--that's the word. Soundtrack by Mingus , or Chet Baker, Bill Evans, etc.

This poem, which I wrote several years ago, is a direct reaction to one of his. I believe it was called "The Blue Stones." I can't find the book I had that included it; nor can I find it on the web anywhere.

I don't actually enjoy Carver, but he makes me think, and stimulates my creativity. I once wrote a short story that was a reaction to "WILL YOU PLEASE BE QUIET PLEASE." I'll send it to you if you're interested.

That said, I'm more of a non-fiction person, preferring history, journalism, economic matters, or essayists (even do-gooder ones, like Thoreau).

Literature may dazzle at times--as with say Conrad's stories, or EA Poe. It may deceive at times, as with the usual commerical potboilers or latest space opera dreck. I contend Lit. deceives more often than it dazzles (or informs, teaches, instructs, etc). That's not such a radical view--Bertrand Russell for one thought literature mostly a sham (--Hamlet is not Napoleon). As did Plato.

Change in Plans No. 2. Stock Market Musings are now located at Amateur Elliott

WELCOME READERS

Disclaimer

Do I need to point out that I am not a financial adviser, registered stock analyst, or anything other than a guy playing with ideas for his own amusement?

Get your own data, do your own thinking, make your own decisions. I am not telling anybody to do anything with even a single penny of their assets. Happy Speculating!

Gold - via www.kitco.com

Change in Plans

Starting Sunday, Feb. 6, 2010, light-hearted stuff has been moved to a new blog. If you are meant to find it, you probably will. If you need directions, write me.

Meanwhile the heavy-hearted - and heavy-handed stuff stays here.

Cheers!JzB

Rules of Engagement

Over at Angry Bear, Mike Kimel has posted a list of things to think about, if you want to be taken seriously. It might be worth your time to check it out. A few are specific to his situation, most are not.

Examples:#1 Don't cite authority as proof.#2 Get your data from a reputable source.#7 Do not argue by assertion.#15 Time moves in a single direction.